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Coyner Shines on start of Summer Football.
So, Summer Football season started just after the summer (go figure) and in true Irish style the rain welcomed all players to Tymon Park. The grass was recently cut (to about knee high), with the leftovers on the pitch like seaweed making it a difficult day all round. Captain Dawide Beirnat got the season underway and was supported by his band of ballers…… Defensive positions were shared between Sam, Dauda, Ethan, James, Jatin, Ben and Brian. Adam was CDM, with Dylan Coyne CAM, the two boys flanked at various times by Gentian, Awwab, Ciaran and Scott. Ibrahim was supported up from by Killian.
And so off we go, it was Castleknock who started the brightest but the pace of the pass catching them out a few times. From the off Adam and Dylan were bossing the midfield and looking to play ball, but perhaps a bit deep. Templeogue United all recently graduated with honours from the National Jersey Tugging / Player Hugging Championships. “All over him ref” you could hear from the sidelines. Ibrahim must of had the nicest tuggable jersey as he was a particular favourite of the Templeogue players. With a lot of action through the middle third it would take something special to work a chance on goal. And so it proved, Killian with a through ball, Ibrahim on it like lightening, a super left foot touch to clear the defender and then takes his time, draws the keeper and scoops the ball over him for a deserved 1-0 lead. A neat DAB later and Ibrahim was back celebrating with his new team mates.
Then something strange happened, Castleknock stopped playing. Templeogue with a pile driver of a shot, Dawide saves. Then a penalty box scramble, Dylan clears off the line not once but twice in quick succession, Dawide having a little break on the ground for some reason, and then a penalty to Templeogue. Ethan likes to test his pal Dawide and he set him down a challenge “save this Dawide”…. you could hear him whisper…… With Dawide in goal a penalty against you is like a good platform to launch a counter attack. And so it proved, great peno (but not great enough), Dawide springs to his right, saves and distributes to Sam all in one go, Sam on to Ethan who was wide right getting what looked like some coaching advice from an innocent bystander, old habits Mr G, old habits….., and Ethan powers down the flank….. But Templeogue recovered in time. So 1-0 at half time and some good action for all.
There was a pair of Special Advisors on the sidelines, Mr Peter and Mr Zac. They said the boys need to move the ball more and get it wide. They said a lot more but that shall remain a secret…... Wise words indeed. Someone must have heard them as Castleknock came out of the blocks second half. Adam and Dylan really dominating now, Adam 10 yards further up the pitch and controlling it. Dylan with another through ball to Ibrahim, Ibrahim straight onto Killian but unfortunately he could not get the shot away. Then Dylan to Gentian wide left and his shot was saved. Templeogue launched a long ball and the Castleknock defence were caught square. Surely a goal, but no, here comes Usain Bolt dressed as Dawide and he clears the ball about 30 yards from this line….. a quick mind matches the quick feet.
Ibrahim was battling so hard, drawing foul after foul but you got the sense he was loving every minute of it. A push here and a smile there….. But it was all Templeogue now and a smashing volley was narrowly over. A succession of corners were cleared by some great last ditch defending. But another break and Killian was set free. Ibrahim in partnership and screaming for a tap in but Killian drew a good save from the keeper. Then Ibrahim through 1 v 1 from the half way line, it was like the Alamo behind him, chasing back. Ibrahim rounded the keeper but the defenders were back to tackle. And then Dylan with his final neat through ball, Ibrahim running on to the pass, Gentian wide and free as a bird but Ibrahim chose to shoot instead and the chance was gone.
So 1-0 it finished. A battling performance from Castleknock and a deserved victory. What did the Special Advisors learn today we asked. "Better decision making from strikers when attacking the goal” said Mr Peter. “The reason for the Penalty is the Third Secret of Fatima” said Mr Zac. And so to Man of the Match. Special mention to Dawide in goal, Dauda in defence, a towering performance again. Adam in midfield making players around him play and Ibrahim ever willing and skilful up front. But there was a clear winner for his energy, positional play and decision making on the ball, well done Dylan Coyne. Post match analysis on the way back and Dawide said he got his hair cut tight so he could dive further, good decision. Ibrahim said he could not hear Gentian with his left ear in particular, so we told him what his eyes were for, and watch out for Awwab on the TV tonight, fancy foot work indeed…
